Add internet tax to shopping cart - Sarasota Herald Tribune Editorial - February 1, 2013The State is leaving money on the table which could fund needed state programs and would help brick and mortar stores in Florida.

Gov. Rick Scott proposes $74.2 billion budget By: Steve Bousquet - Tampa Bay Times - February 1, 2013The Governor's proposed budget is a $4 billion increase from last year and includes increased spending in schools and the environment, while it cuts state workers and Medicaid payments, increased privatization of work release programs and proposed new business tax cuts.

Scott to State Agencies: Plan to cut 5% By: Lloyd Dunkelberger - Lakeland Ledger - July 18, 2012Despite increased revenue projects a number of financial challenges are foreseen so Florida will continue to look for cuts, rather than increased revenue sources.

State's outmoded tax system needs overhaul - Orlando Sentinel Editorial - July 3, 2012After years of cutting budgets at the state level, a look at the entire tax system is needed to determine how to fund services.

New state laws go into effect on Sunday By: Bill Kaczor - Miami Herald - June 30, 2012In addition to the new state budget starting many new laws go into effect ranging from student athletes to auto insurance.

Cuts threaten credit ratings, universities - Tampa Tribune Editorial - April 8, 2012The Legislature has been shortsighted in some of the ways they have balanced the budget and as the economy rebounds they should rebuild reserves and reinvest in education for long-term gains.

A budget only special interests could love By: Tampa Bay Times Editorial - March 13, 2012
Legislators balanced the budget, but in the process higher education was cut and tuition was raised, K-12 education funding didn't go up enough to make up for past cuts, Medicaid was changed leaving federal money on the table, counties were put on the hook for more Medicaid funding and County court budgets were cut again. Legislators also continued to not collect internet sales tax and made Florida' economic recovery harder.

The 2012 Florida Legislature: Winners and Losers By: News Service of Florida - Flagler Life - March 13, 2012
A run-down of bills that passed and failed during session. It does not provide an update on if the bills have been signed into law by the Governor.

New state budget may come with a future cost By: Lloyd Dunkelberger - Sarasota Herald Tribune - March 11, 2012
While the Legislature balanced the state budget without raising taxes or the really deed cuts of recent years, many worry about the long term impact of cutting funding to programs like higher education and taking money from trust funds.

Florida's credit rating in jeopardy, Moody's says By: Gary Fineout - Gainesville Sun - March 10, 2012
Investors worry that continued draining of reserve funds and additional tax cuts could make it more expensive for Florida to borrow in the future.

Legislature's $70 billion budget holds taxes but slices deep By: Associated Press - Bay News 9 - March 10, 2012
Businesses got a new tax break, but money going to hospitals and universities will decline, college tuition will increase, and K-12 school funding was increased, but the increase is less than the cut they received last legislative session.

Fla. lawmakers likely to reduce size of tax hike By: Associated Press - Local 10 WPLG Miami/Ft. Lauderdale - February 29, 2012
The minimum tax rate was supposed to jump substantially this year, however, the Legislature is looking to spread the increase out.

Business tax cuts making headway in Florida Legislature By: Zac Anderson - Sarasota Herald Tribune - February 29, 2012
Tax cut packages are moving through Tallahassee despite worries from opponents that Florida would be better served to invest in education and infrastructure.

Tax cut for small businesses could lead to breaks for big ones By: Jason Garcia - Orlando Sentinel - February 10, 2012
The Legislature is considering a proposal from Gov. Scott to cut taxes businesses pay on tangible goods. That change requires voter approval and the question may ask if future changes can be done without voter approval opening the door to big tax changes in the future.

Florida Senate considers taxing Internet sales By: The Associated Press - Tampa Tribune - February 2, 2012
Sponsors say they are proposing the bills to level the playing field for companies located in Florida who have to compete against on-line companies. Bulking up STEM comes with a price tag, educators say By: Rebecca Catalanello, Jeffrey S. Solocheck and Sherri Ackerman - Tampa Bay Times - January 17, 2012Science and technology courses are among the most expensive and K-12 and colleges are struggling with funding.

Bill gives governor clout over workforce boards By: Michael Peltier - News Service of Florida - January 12, 2012 A bill is moving through the legislature which would require workforce board members to make financial disclosures and allow the Governor to remove them for cause.

Collect online sales tax - all of it - Sun-Sentinel Editorial - January 9, 2012
The Florida Legislature needs to collect online sales taxes, and they shouldn't be "revenue neutral" but rather should be invested in Florida.

Legislative Session: Do No Harm is Polk's main request By: Bill Rufty - Lakeland Ledger - January 8, 2012
As Tallahassee gets back to work, Polk and other counties are asking Legislators to not pass any cuts to local government funding or mandates that will cost local governments more money.

Despite lean budget, emergency is over - Tampa Tribune Editorial - January 8, 2012
After five years of budgeting through a crisis it's time for the Legislature to stop taking away local control and start planning and investing again.

8 thorny issues lawmakers will be handling this session By: Aaron Deslatte and Kathleen Haughney - Orlando Sentinel - January 7, 2012The Orlando Sentinel's take on what to watch this session. Issues not discussed in other articles include Caylee's law, claims bills and red-light cameras.

2012 Session Outlook: Budget & Taxes By: Travis Pillow - The Current - January 4, 2012Despite a slight uptick in state revenue, Tallahassee has another hard budget year ahead. The big money issues are expected to be the budget, property tax caps, internet sales tax collection, local business taxes and business tax breaks.